Anyone ever have an incomplete mammogram?
 

I am scared stiff. Got a call to come back to have my left breast redone, while dr. was there to read it. said it could take 2 to 3 hours, may want to do ultrasound also. Anyone ever have this happen? I guess I am just a worry wart.......Michele

I've never had a mamogram, I hope there is nothing wrong... that can be very scary, but no matter what... God is still in controll, and with Him by your side, nothing to worry about.... I know, easier to say than to do! lol

I have had several "incomplete" mammograms.....the first time scared me to. As it turned out it was a shadow on the film that happened several times. I was even sent to a sugeron that said there was nothing to be concerned with. I don't know why or how the shadows appeared neither did the tech I could have moved slightly.

Will say a prayer for you that it is nothing and everything will be fine.
Take care and try not to worry.

I have had call backs for mamos. They did a compression/spot focal and a sonogram the first time. The second time the hospital had a new mamo machine and the spot focal was done then. Both times I had to have a biopsy. Everything was okay for me. Just remember that the new mamo machines can pick up a cancer the size of a grain of rice and smaller.

Just because you have a call back for more studies doesn't mean that it will be bad news. It means that they are making sure you are well. Please try not to worry, easier said than done, and let us know how things go.

Happens to me almost every time I get my mammo done. I have very lumpy breasts - full of fibroid cysts. Especially if I've been drinking too much caffeine and not taking my Vitamin E! They let me watch the ultrasound. Fascinating.

Try not to worry. I had to go back for another and have an ultrasound too. The worse part was being in the waiting room with other women who were going through the same thing. One was upset that her husband was not allowed in there with us as we sat with the gowns on. I will send good thoughts your way.

Ive had it too. They do a spot, an ultrasound and maybe a needle biopsy. Worked out to be nothing. I think now that mammo's are more accurate, they tend to overread them to be on the conservative side which is good but causes these encore performances more often.

Been there too. I've had all of the tests, ultra sound, needle biopsy, nothing ever found. They are always cautious, as well they should be, I'm sure it's nothing. Good luck anyway!

Thank all of you for your replies, I will keep you posted.............Michele

(((HUGS))) Try not to worry too much, many times they "think" they see something and call us back in. My tech always reminds us that if we get a call to come back in, most of the time it is a false alarm. The Radiologists would rather call us back in for a false alarm, and err on the side of caution :) :) :)

This happens to me about every other time I get a mammo. I don't even worry anymore. Large dense breasts cause problems.

I'm in the same category as you, Becka, in fact I have to stay until the mammo is read by the technician. I also have to have an ultrasound done. I know caffeine is bad and I do love coffee - hate decaff! I have never heard about taking vitamin E for this condition. Would you please elaborate further on this recommendation. Thanks.

Yes, but thank God it turned out ok. Will be praying for you.

Yes, that hapened to me. Had the mammo and the ultrasound, had breast surgery and am now 4 years cancer free.

It is scary and worrisome, just be glad they are going about this fast and hopefully thoroughly.

God Bless, delma

I had to go back once. Was scared also. The tech. said I have dense breasts. So now I make them REALLY squash the darn things so they get a good read the first time. The tech. was amazed I could stand having them squeezed that much, but I was NOT going to go back a second time.

I had to go back once -- another mammo and an ultrasound. I have dense breasts. Now the place I go has digital equipment I they get it right the first time.

Obviously, you have a reason to worry, but try not to borrow trouble. I have this happen twice. Both times were nothing. My doc told me it happens more often with large breasts.

Yes, me too. But they didn't call me back, they just kept me there, and kept saying "we need another picture" and then I waited. And then she came back and said "we need another picture". It was 1.5 years since my lumpectomy so you can imagine where my mind was going. but, it was just that the picture wasn't good enough - had to squish again, and it was fine.

Please have an biopsy done. My mom went through this and they cleared her the second time using an other mamogram. Obviously it was not as about ten years later she died of metasticized cancer. When an autopsy was done it showed it was from breast cancer from where they had cleared her with a second mamogram. Praying all is well.

I agree, I've done too many call backs over the years...but...it is worth it to be cautious.

Try not to lose sleep over it, especially this close to the holidays. Last time I went they did 3 additional views but I've been called back more times than not. I worked in a free-standing radiology facility for 8 years and the doctor read the mammos on the spot, eliminating the need (and worry) about coming back. Most places don't provide that kind of service unfortunately. Best wishes to you.

I was going to say the same thing..have had to do the same and it turned out to be a shadow, glad they were so careful but the waiting to find out is horrible. I hope all goes well for you..post and let us know.

the first time I got called back I was terrified like you and when after the mammogram I was then told had to have ultrasound but it all turned out good it was a very large cyst with lots of smaller ones - try not too worry too much - easier said than done I know but there are alot of reasons why they call you back xx

Please remember that mammo's and all other test are important...but you have to look at yourself too. I noticed a change in color of my nipple on my left breast. Mammo did not show anything, Biopsy showed Inflamatory Breast
Cancer. That was in 2003, I am truly grateful to be a survivor.

I started with a mammo July 29, 2nd mammo in August, ultrasound in Oct., needle biopsy Nov. 3, lumpectomy Dec. 7. All the different medical personnel had difficulty finding the nodule. Had cataracts removed from both eyes in Aug/Sept. Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from nose Nov. 8. So I put on blinders and dealt with one thing at a time. I put myself in the hands of the Lord and will continue to do so. Two lymph nodes showed up brightly and a blurry one showed up. Just sitting and waiting and praying now. So many of the medical personnel were amazed at how small my nodule was. The new technology and digital mammography show so much more than they used to, so the doctors have much more to look at and decipher. I keep telling myself that I am not the only one or there would not be so much technology out there to help me. Thankful for the people that continue to explore and learn and develop new technology to help us. Armpit hurts a bit right now, but not ready for the pain pills sitting on my table yet. So, as others said, deal with one step at a time. May God Bless.

My first and only time was so excruciating that I stopped it before it was finished, and was sore for about a fortnight afterward. I now have ultrasound instead as I have lots of lumps. It is not as traumatic for me and the guy who does the ultrasound studies the lumps and keeps a record of changes in size.

Yes, I was called back for the same and all turned out OK. I can relate to how scared you are- I had to wait over a weekend. Will pray that you will get a good report.

I also get called back about every other time. But I can't blame it on large dense breasts!!

I've had to go back and had an ultra sound. Just a cyst. Better the evil you know then the evil you don't know.
Don't worry it is no big deal.

Just take things one step at a time. I have a strong history of BC in my family. Both of my grandmothers (one was a 27 year survivor) And my mother. (I lost her way to young, I was 31, she was 52) After her diagnosis I insisted they started mamos on me at 30. As others have said they would take the mammo and then I would wait for it to be read. 100% of the time they had a section they wanted to review closer as I was young and had dense breast tissue.It was always nothing. I was 40 when I went for my last mammo and went through the usual. This time when I met with the doctor she asked If I had time to stay for an US and biopsy. It was probably nothing but they wanted to make sure. I was nervous but just tried to stay calm. They gave me an appointment for two days later to review the results of the biopsy. The following day First thing in the morning I got a call from them that they needed me to come in and pick up all of my films and reports as the biopsy was positive. During the biposy they put a marker in the area of concern. I'm glad that they did that because even after I knew it was there, I felt nothing. I went to several breast surgeons and reviewed my results. None of the surgeons could feel it either but it was there on every scan, mammo, us, & MRI. We had the discussion of lumpectomy or mastectomy. My mom had a lumpectomy because she couldn't face the fact of loosing her breast. Unfortunately 9 months later it was discovered that it had metastasized into her lungs and we lost her 5 months later. Way before I was diagnosed I already had made the decision that if anything was ever found that I would to the mastectomy. Of course its alot different when you are facing the fact. After some debate I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I was also tested to see if I was a carrier of the BRACA mutation. It turned out that I was. So not only did I have the BMX I also had my ovaries and tubes taken out. (BRACA is a mutation that makes one a bit more suspectable for both breast and ovarian cancer. (My great aunt died from ovarian cancer). For me its been a long road but I have come out the other side and am doing well. Slammed into menopause isn't fun but its something I can (and have to) learn how to deal with. I'm very glad I went the route I did. The lab reports showed not only the initial cancer but I had at least 4 other areas of the breast that were showing DCIS (precancerous cells).

Now I'm not telling this to you to scare you but to tell you it IS scary but IF there is something its so much better to catch it now than later.

My biggest worry now is for my children. I carry the gene, my sister does not. I worry if I passed this on to them. My grandmothers were in their early 60's at diagnosis, My mom was 50, I was 40. I am terrified that my girls may have to deal with it in their 30's. (And there are many young ladies who do get diagnosed). The plus is that they are only 12 now and hopefully there will be alot more options and things available as they grow up. It was 10 years between my mom's diagnoses and mine and I can tell you what I went through and the options available to me were different then what my mom went through it.

I am coming up on my 2nd year of diagnosis and with the exception of the hot flashes, feel fine. I reconstitution done at the same time as the mastectomy and although it was a hard road, I am still here and plan on being here for along time.

Good luck and again just one step at a time.

I had a call back three years ago. All was good from the biopsy. So thankful for that blessing. Blessings.

Maybe my story will give you some encouragement. I am a 12 year survivor of breast cancer - had it in Oct. of 99. Two years later I had the 2nd breast taken off just so I didn't have to go through the mammogram and biopsy every six months for the rest of my life. I'm so glad I had the full mastectomy's - so many people we know who had the lumpectomy done eventually ended up with full blown cancer and are deceased. Let me add, prostheses aren't that bad to wear. I only wear them when I have clothes that need to be filled out in those areas. I hope you do well, and do let us know how you do.

Yes, this happened to me too. Seems I have a vascular tangle that looks suspicious. I got called back for another picture, than an ultrasound. Then the radiologist (who never comes out into the light) approached me and scared the dickens out of me! He just wanted to apologize for the inconvenience and to assure me that everything was fine. Same thing happened the next year, and I imagine it will continue to happen year after year now. I'm told they can see through the spot and that it is nothing. I'm just glad to know they are careful.

I just went back for additional views on my left breast. had three small calcifications . all benign. we can get them as we get older. Don't be alarmed . just pray.

Happened to me. It was cysts. I have fibrocystic breasts. Ultrasound also. Was pretty nervous.

Happens a lot. Better to be safe then sorry. I used to get ultra sounds every time I got a mammogram because of breast cysts. One time I had to have a biopsy and it turned out fine.

I have had this happen twice, so I understand your concern. In my case, when I went back for the second Mamm, the Pathologist, had me wait, so that he could give me the results right there, in about 30 minutes The second time I had a needle biopsy and also got the results that same day, after I waited about an hour. What a relief to hear the "all clear" Not having to go home and wait for the telephone to ring was really wonderful. Keep us posted, as we think about you and lend you our support.

Usually about every 3-4 years I get a call that they need to do an ultrasound. Honestly this has happened so many times, that I laughted out loud the last time they called. The receptionist was quiet and then said she has never had that response before.

You will breeze thru this.

As a breast cancer survivor (11 years at Thanksgiving) all I can say is that it is great that your imaging place is being thorough. You want a really good image so that IF there should be a problem, they can catch it early when it is small and treatable. Here is another thought to keep in mind: as women we all fear the worst case scenario. I had always prayed that it wouldn't happen to me. BUT...guess what? We are strong! We can deal with whatever comes our way. Going through the biopsies, surgery, radiation and chemo was not easy, but surprisingly, a lot less awful than I had feared in my mind. All you need to do is to take it one day at a time. I pray it will go well for you (most of these cases turn out to be nothing) but if the worst should happen, know that you can get through it, and contact me. Good luck!